A Day in the Life of an Automotive Franchisee
Christian Franchise Opportunities in the Auto Repair Industry
Matt and Lee Rucks didn’t expect to own an auto repair shop or move to Hendersonville, TN, but when Matt was laid off by a vitamin manufacturing company in 2009, their plans were cast to the wind. The family prayed for their next opportunity when a friend told them about a business he’d seen in Atlanta—an auto repair shop that was unlike anything he’d ever seen. It was a franchise called Christian Brothers Automotive.
Matt called Christian Brothers to set up a conversation. “My wife came home and I said I was thinking about opening an auto franchise and she said to drop that idea and focus on getting a job, and I said I had a call lined up with someone that night.” After that conversation, Lee was impressed.
The couple went to Houston with plans to open a store in Greenville, S.C., but learned they could start the business much more quickly if they were willing to move to Tennessee. They decided to make the move.
Serving & Connecting with Customers
Matt and Lee’s business is open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. The mornings are mostly spent shuttling customers to work and customers’ kids to school. The complimentary rides make having their vehicle serviced more convenient. Lee is especially fond of shuttling customers because it gives her a chance to get to know them better:
“I want to know how customers heard about us and what they like about us. They’ve usually had a bad experience elsewhere, and they heard about us from a friend or neighbor or from family who had a great experience. ” she says.
The conversation with customers also tends to veer into the personal: How is your day? How is your family? How are you? While Matt and Lee don’t force their faith onto anyone, customers soon realize that Christian Brothers truly is a Christian business. Many customers open up about their lives, giving Matt and Lee a chance to connect in a meaningful, spiritual way.